set up a permaculture school there, too. Years later, and back in the Edmonton area he has since set up KZ Permaculture, a consultancy specializing in permaculture solutions, advocacy and education. He and his partner also designed and built the tiny house they have lived in for the last year and a half, and blogged about the process (edmontiny). “It took a solid 8 months to research how to build the house and another 8 months to build it,” says Zerbin, “but the community that surrounds each tiny home is amazing.” He’s referring to the dozens of tradespeople, friends, and neighbours who all play a part in the creation and construction of each unique home, ultimately co-creating a further community.There are few people better equipped to help others navigate the tiny home journey, and Zerbin developed and offers an intensive two-day workshop to help others embark on their own projects. The course covers design and construction as well as what Zerbin calls the “living systems”: heating, water, energy and waste options, which are different in less forgiving climates. He also touches upon ways in which to navigate the legalities of owning a tiny home, given that most Canadian municipalities have yet to define what this really means. As the movement has only really started to take off in recent years, there is much advocacy work to be done by those interested in this life. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but “diversity in housing is important, just as it is in everything. We need diversity. Additionally, if we all make changes to ourselves and our own lives, we really begin to see the ripple.” PHOTOS BY CHRIS AT EARLYRAIN STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY
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